Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Winter Garden TheatreCheck out the latest Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
May 02, 2018
Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
The Shuberts introduced the Winter Garden in 1911, a venue designed by William Albert Swasey to resemble an outdoor English garden. For 18 years, the Winter Garden presented the hit Cats. By the time it closed in 2000 the show had amassed 7,485 performances, making it the longest-running Broadway show at the time. The theatre was named the Cadillac Winter Garden from 2002 through 2007.
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Step Inside Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre
Check out the latest Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses.
20 PHOTOS
Built by the Shuberts, the Winter Garden Theatre opened in 1911 as a lavish music hall “devoted to novel, international, spectacular and musical entertainments.”
Winter Garden Theatre box office
The venue was designed by architect William Albert Swasey to resemble an English garden, with latticework on the walls and a trellised ceiling. During the 1920s the Winter Garden was redesigned by architect Herbert J. Krapp, and an enormous marquee was added.
When it opened, the theatre became an instant hit, notably featuring a series of Sunday-night concerts in which new talent such as Jolson and Marilynn (later shortened to Marilyn) Miller were brilliantly promoted.
In addition to its Sunday night concert series, the Winter Garden became the home of a rowdy revue series called The Passing Show, starring performers including Fred and Adele Astaire, Eugene Howard, and more.
In 1928, the theatre was leased by Warner Brothers and converted into a Vitaphone (talking pictures) temple. Aptly, the first movie shown there was The Singing Fool starring Al Jolson. The theatre was eventually restored to legitimacy in 1933.
Throughout its history, the theatre has ushered in the Broadway debuts of iconic shows including West Side Story, Funny Girl, and Cats.
In addition, the Winter Garden stage has been home to performances from theatre legends including Angela Lansbury, Liza Minnelli, and Barbra Streisand.
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
Winter Garden Theatre auditorium
The Winter Garden Theatre is currently the home of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s School of Rock, which opened in 2015.
Currently playing at the theatre is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock—The Musical, based on the popular 2003 film about down-and-out rock guitarist Dewey Finn, who takes a job as a substitute teacher. But instead of sticking to the syllabus, he teaches his kids about the glory of rock, organizes them into a rock group, and enters them in a Battle of the Bands.
The musical features an original score by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Julian Fellowes, and direction by Laurence Connor.
While audiences wait for Company to resume performances, revisit the Jacobs Theatre and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
